September 2005

''Oklahaven on the Move'

Honduran children get chiropractic, thanks to kids chiropractic center

The doctors at Oklahaven are used to helping children. But, earlier this year, they did something a bit different. Center Director Bobby Doscher, DC; Elizabeth Erkenswick, DC, of Evanston, Ill.; and Phyllis Libby, a specialist in neurological development traveled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to adjust children whose conditions ranged from cerebral palsy to autism.

They went to help the children and to support Roberto Funk, DC who is considered by Oklahaven as "an angel" for his work with the Fundacion Hondurena de Capacitacion Especial (Funhcae).

"Our journey was deeply gratifying for the families, the professional team and for the children, especially young Gustavo," said Dr. Doscher. "The nine‑year‑old was so rigid that his elbows were almost twisted forward and his arms misshapen. His head, neck, and pelvis were locked. Within three days he began to lift his head, was able to control his trunk and limbs, and sat up for the first time. The other mothers were teary‑eyed with joy for Gustavo. His eyes were bright with hope as he and his mother were motivated again."

In Oklahaven's newsletter, "In‑Line," Doscher tells of another one of the children cared for during the Honduran trip.

"Antonio, a six‑year‑old, just came for an evaluation. He was hyperactive, walked on his toes, his eyes did not converge, and occasionally he repeated a single word after his mother said it over and over. He was noisy, clumsy, and barely able to follow single step instructions. Eight months ago he had a seizure. At the time he was on a psychotropic drug for hyperactivity. Then he was put on an anticonvulsant for the seizure and then needed sleep medication."

Doscher and Dr. Funk adjusted him, although they realized that this revitalization of his nervous system chiropractic could trigger seizure activity and they warned Antonio's parents of the possibility of toxic release through rash, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, sweating, fever, and normal orifice discharge.

They were right. Antonio had a seizure early that evening and his family took him to the hospital, but ‑‑ to everyone's delight and surprise ‑‑ he returned the next morning!

"After Antonio's seizure, his mother said he was stronger and she would not allow the hospital to medicate him," the newsletter related. "His mother reported that he was now beginning to walk with his feet flatter. He was more alert, happier and repeated any word mom said after only one time!"

The last great victory was the hardest to win, Doscher explained. A 15‑year‑old autistic boy named Leo had gone through extensive neurological treatment but had never permitted a chiropractor to adjust him. Doscher and Funk knew they had to make the attempt, even though the boy was large, strong and potentially violent.

With his parent's permission, they went to his house, feeling it would put him at ease to be cared for on his "home ground." When they got there, the boy ran away and it took the doctors 40 minutes to get him to back to the house. Six adults held him down while he was adjusted.

At first, Leo was terrified and resisted, Doscher recalled, "but we sensed he was feeling different and even better. He calmed down immediately afterward. The next day mother reported that Leo had run in cross pattern without shaking his head from side to side or flapping his hands. His visual convergence was improved and his balance was better. His head was more relaxed and he slept better that night. He was peaceful in a way mother had never seen before"

The team returned to the house to adjust him one more time on the last day of their visit. "This time Leo allowed the doctors to adjust him and only three people had to hold him as he did his best to tolerate it," Doscher reported. "He tried to talk all the way through the session and even smiled at the end. Dr. Funk and Leo's parents were confident that he could be adjusted on a regular basis."

The Honduran mission was only one of the stops on the "Oklahaven on the Move" campaign to educate people around the world about the benefits of chiropractic for children. In recent months, representatives of Oklahaven have traveled to Canada for the Vancouver Health Show, to Poland to adjust children at the "Fundacja dom Rodzinnej Rehabilitacji" (Foundation for Home Rehabilitation), and to Antwerp, Belgium to lecture at Voluntas, a non‑profit foundation for disabled children.

They've also had their share of travel closer to home.

"I was honored to be on the Parker Pediatric Panel in Las Vegas," Doscher stated. "The thundering applause for Oklahaven truly touched and overwhelmed the staff and myself ... It warms my heart every time I travel to see chiropractic received with such admiration and open hearts. Our goal is to continue our travels, adjusting the children, teaching the professionals and parents!"

Oklahaven was founded in 1962 and provides chiropractic services to severely sick and handicapped children. The Center was founded as a private, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization by a volunteer group of six doctors of chiropractic. The Center specializes in the treatment of children traditional medicine has been unable to help. For more information or to make a donation, call 405‑948‑8807 or visit the Oklahaven website at www.chiropractic4kids.com.